Washboiler.



G. ROBINSON.

WASHBOILER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1Z,1905.

975,573. Patented N0v.15, 1910.

In ve n tar dfirwvn/ are,

WASI-IBOILER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

Application filed April 12, 1905. Serial No. 255,087.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGIANA ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States,residing in New York, county of New York, and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Washboilers, of which thefollowing is a description.

This invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to theclass known as wash-boilers, and in which are employed means to throwup, by the action of the steam generated in the bottom of the boiler, atorrent of steam and water which will be caused to pour down upon theclothes and to freely and fully circulate therethrough.

Among the objects of this invention may be noted the following: toprovide a washboiler in which the steam may be quickly generated andcaused to forcibly impel the water upon and vigorously circulate thesame freely through and among the clothes; to provide an automaticwash-boiler with means whereby the same may deliver, downwardly from itstop, a continuous stream of water and steam in all directions and withgreat force; to provide a washboiler in which there will be included afountain-body having means whereby it may be quickly set in place andfirmly held and secured in the holding-vessel without vibration; toprovide a wash-boiler with a fountain-body so constructed and disposedin the holding-vessel that free circulation through and around the saidbody will be provided for both water and steam; to provicle awash-boiler with a fountain attachment, having a receptacle for holdingeither hard or soft soap, whereby the latter may be easily and quicklydissolved for saponifying the water; and to provide an attachment, as anarticle of manufacture, whereby the ordinary wash-boiler orholding-vessel may be rendered capable of use in connection with myinvention.

Other objects will be disclosed during the course of this description,and with them all in View, together with those above enumerated, thisinvention consists in the parts, features and combinations of elementshereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have provideddrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical, central section of the holding-vessel with myinvention applied thereto; and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing thecross-bar 16.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the vertical wall orbody of the holding-vessel, which may be of any desired form, or haveany conventional shape which may be found suitable for the purposes, andin the center of the bottom 2 of which, and on the inside thereof, isper manently set or secured, by any suitable means, or formed integralwith the material of the bottom, a hollow projection 8, which isprovided with a plurality of spaced, angular slots 4, open at the top ofsaid projection. The cover 5 of the holding-vessel is provided with thedepending flange 6 set upon the shouldered portion 7 of the body 1; andsaid cover 5 is provided with a handle 8, secured thereto by anysuitable means, such as screws or rivets 9. The cover is also providedwith a steam-outlet pipe 10, screwed thereinto and communicating withthe interior of the holding-vessel, and provided at its top with thehinged valve-lid 11, weighted by means of the conical lug 12, so as tohold the said lid 11 normally closed. As will be obvious, when the steampressure within the holding-vessel becomes too great, the valve-lid 11will be lifted and the extent of such lift will be limited by means ofthe stop 13, secured to the pipe 10, projecting above the top of thelatter and extended to a position such that the lid 11 can never assumethe vertical, hence, providing an automatic or gravity valve for closingthe steam-outlet pipe 10. The stop 13 consists of a piece of spring orflexible material and, if elastic, will be curved as shown into properposition and will operate so as to cause the lid 11 to rebound shouldthe latter be thrown open with any force; and, if of flexible material,said stop will be bent into proper position for securing its functionand may be adjusted or changed to any other desired position. Placedwithin the holding-vessel is the fountain-attachment, which consists ofthe conical body-portion 14, having its bottom extended or flared so asto cover nearly the entire bottom of the vessel, but leaving, as shownin the figure, suflicient space for the free circulation of water andsteam between the said fountainbody and the walls of the holding-vessel.In order to avoid sharp edges, the bottom of the conical body is turnedup, as shown at 15, to provide a rounded edge or heading. The conicalbody is braced by the cross-bar 16, which also supports a dependingsleeve 17, which telescopes the pro ection 3 and carries on its insidepins 18, spaced to correspond with the angular slots 4, whereby saidpins may be entered in said slots and, by turning the fountain-body,caused to enter the horizontal. portion of said slots, thus locking thefountain-body1n position by means of a bayonet joint connection. Tosupport the conical body above the bottom of the holding-vessel, andalso provide means for spacing said body from said bottom 2, a series ofrings 19, in any suitable number, are looped through the bottom of theconical body 14 and around the flange 15 thereof, said rings beingproperly secured and held, substantially in the position shown, bysoldering the same to the body 14. This constructlon not only properlysupports the fountain attachment, but also spaces the latter from thebottom of the holding-vessel for permitting the free circulation ofwater and steam between the latter and the conical-body 14, and under,around and through the fountain attachment; but, it will be understoodthat, though the fluids have free circulation around the fountainattachment, the space between the lower edge of the conical body and thebottom of the holding-vessel is not large enough to allow any of thework to be drawn into the conical body. Obviously, the bayonet-jointconnection between the holding-vessel and the fountain attachment is solocated as to also space the latter from the bottom2, and to limit theextent to which the fountain attachment may approach said bottom. Thebayonet connection also has the function of preventing too much weightbeing applied to the supporting-rings or feet 19, and the latter in turnprevent too much weight being brought to bear upon the pins of thebayonet-joint. Hence, there is a reciprocal and mutual cooperationbetween the supports for the fountain-body and the connection betweenthe latter and the bottom of the holding vessel. 7

Extending longitudinally and centrally of the conical body 14, andsupported by the cross-bar 16, is the vertical, passage-pipe or stem,one portion 20 of which is made of solid or imperforate material, andthe other portion 21 of which is perforate or foraminous and may be madeof wire-gauze of any suitable kind. The portion 20 of the pipe or stemextends a short distance below the junction 22 thereof with the conical.body 14, such junction being secured by means of soldering, riveting orotherwise. The foraminous portion or stem 21 of the pipe constitutes asoap-holder and has at its top the partition 23, which has the functionof a stop for preventing the soap from being floated or forced into theupper portion 20 of the stem, but permits thepassage of all fluids, asit is made perforate the same as the pipe-section 21. It is notessential that this stop 23 be provided, although it is found to beuseful when hard soap in any form is used. At a point between its ends,the foraminous section 21 is provided with the arched collar 24, for thereception of the top of the sliding door 25, which'closes the opening tothe soap-chamber and the bottom of which slides between the portion 21and the inverted thimble 26 upon which the portion 21 rests and to whichit is connected, and by means of which the pipe, as a whole, is securelyheld in place by soldering or otherwise securely fastening the saidthimble 26 to the cross-bar or brace 16. A small handle 27 may beprovided for sliding the door 25, when desired. The top of thepipe-section 20 is provided with a plurality of angular slots 28, saidslots opening at the top of the pipe, as clearly shown. These slots 28receive pins 29, carried in corresponding number on the inside of thesleeve 30, which latter snugly fits the top. of the pipe and is formedon, or connected to, the circular concavo-convex cap-plate 31. Thisconstruction makes a handy connection for readily applying and removingthe dome generally in dicated by 32. Supported by the cap-plate 31, bymeans of the radial pins 33, is the dome-plate 32, said pins also havingthe function of spacing the dome-plate 32 from the cap-plate 31 therequisite distance to permit the free and easy passage of a continuousstream of fluid. The dome-plate 32 is curved at its center toquite anelevation above the cap-plate 31 and above the upper end of the pipe orstem 20, in order to provide a pressure chamber 34, for a purpose to bepresently described. The curvature and form of the cap-plate 31 anddome-plate 32 are such as to provide a downturned out- 7 eral directionof such stream being substantially midway between the fountain-body andthe walls of the holding-Vessel.

The structural features being now understood, the operation of theboiler as a whole and of the fountain attachment individually will beobvious from the following: The fountain-body is placed in theholding-vessel and the several pins 18, carried by the sleeve 17, arecentered so as to enter the vertical portions of the angular slots 4,and, when said pins have been bottomed in said slots, a slight turn isgiven to the fountainbody in the proper direction, so as to carry saidpins to the end of the horizontal portions of said slots, thus tightlyand securely locking the fountain-body to the bottom of iao theholding-vessel. The sleeve 17 snugly fits and slides over the projection8 on the bottom 2 and thus aids in preventing wabbling or loosenessbetween the parts; and the fountain-body is still further steadied andrigidly held by the engagement of the feet 19 with the bottom 2, saidfeet going firmly into engagement with said bottom when the pins 18bottom in the slots 4; and it will be readily understood that the formof the feet is such that their contact is not extensive, is quite smoothand is, consequently, substantially frictionless or anti-frictional.Hence, the feet do not retard the movement, of the fountain-body,necessary to properly set and fasten it in place, and such movement isso slight that the bottom 2 is not materially worn; yet, by the meansdescribed, and by using, or providing, the requisite number of feet 19,the fountain-body is tightly held in the holding-vessel and preventedfrom ha"- ing any movement therein or independently thereof and,consequently, said body is completely braced and steadied and preventedfrom vibration and movement such as would ordinarily be caused by theaction of the steam and water within the conical bodyportion 14. Whenthus set in place, the fountain-body practically covers the bottom ofthe holdingvessel but is sufficiently spaced from the bottom of thelatter, by the feet 19, to permit the free circulation of the fluidsunder the same and therebetween and the bottom of the boiler. Soap inany form may be used and, will be placed in the perforate portion 21through the door 25 before the fountain-body is placed in theholdingvessel; and will be, therefore, always submerged and readily andquickly dissolved, resulting in quick saponification of the fluid in theholding-vessel. If hard soap in any form is used and should not bethoroughly dissolved before steam is generated under the conical body14, the fluids might force the same up through the pipe-section 20 andout through the dome into contact with the clothes in lump form, which,of course, is objectionable. Hence, the efficacyof the stop or diaphragm28 at the top of the foraminous section 21. If it is desired to add moresoap, during the operation ofthe boiler, the same can be readily done byinserting the same in the top of the stem 20 by removing the dometherefrom. Obviously, as the steam is generated under the conical body14:, it will rise and the water will be carried with it through theforaminous portion 21 and up through the portion 20, and from thencewill flow in a continuous sheet from and around the bottom of the dome,this action taking effect with such force as to not only suds the water,but to agitate the clothes and drive the soapy water and steamthoroughly through and among the same. The fluids pass up the pipe intothe dome with considerable force, in the natural operation of theboiler, and are carried with great power against the walls of thechamber 34 in said dome, thus creating a supplemental force bydeflection to drive the fluids with increased power down upon theclothes contained in the holding-vessel. The natural action of thefluids, aided and accelerated by the pressure chamber 34, results indriving said fluids down through the clothes and under the conical body1% and up again through the pipe thereof, creating rapid and forcefulcirculation which, in a very short time, will thoroughly cleanse theclothes.

It will be observed that the shape and structure of the fountain-bodyare such as to allow the clothes to move freely about the same andwithin the holding-vessel without entanglement, and by forming thebeading 15 on the bottom of the body-portion 14, sharp edges are avoidedwhich might cut or tear the clothes, Obviously, the lower edges of thecap and dome plates may be rounded if found necessary, for the samereason, they being, in any event, made smooth so that the clothes maynot be cut or torn when they are withdrawn from the holding-vessel; butit will be noted that there is ample space around the dome to enter andwithdraw the clothes without contact therewith.

It will be understood that a great amount of steam is generated in theholding-vessel and that a great portion of it will seek the top thereof,in which event there would be a tendencv to force the cover 5 ofi theholdingvessel unless locking means were provided. To avoid this and theuse of the objectionable catches or locking devices, the steamoutlet 10is provided, the hinged valve-lid 11 of which readily lifts-or yields toany pressure which could possibly force the cover 5. As soon as thepressure of the steam is relieved through said valve the latter willinstantly close by gravity, as will be readily understood, and the steampressure is prevented from throwing the valve too far back by settingthe stop 13, which prevents the same from reaching the vertical, andmakes it ever ready to assume its closed position when the pressure isrelieved, the valve be ing thus purely automatic.

The entire fountain attachment, obviously, may be readily detached fromthe holdingvessel and removed therefrom, and the dome can be removedfrom the top of the pipe in the same manner, thus permitting theattachment to be readily cleaned and dried.

Various modifications may be made in the combination of the elements andthe structural features of the fountain attachment, without departingfrom the spirit of my invention, and within the scope and principle ofthe latter; and, it will be obvious that the fountain attachment may besold separately from the holding-vessel as an article of manufacture,thus permitting it to be used in connection with any form ofholdingvessel by merely applying to the bottom of the latter a slottedpro eotion such as 3. Hence, as to certain of the features of myinvention, I do not purpose so limiting my claims as to confine thefountain attachment to use and combination with a holdingvessel.

In order that the structural and elemental features of my invention maybe readily appreciated, the following are noted as among its advantages:When the fountainbody is set in place, the sleeve 17 telescopes andclosely fits the projection 23, and the pins 18 bottom in the angularslots 4 simultaneously with the engagement of the feet 19 upon thebot-tom 2 of the holding-vessel. Thereby, it is instantly known thatproper cooperation has been obtained and that but a slight turn isrequired to firmly set and hold the fountain attachment in theholdingvessel; and the several means just described give the fountainattachment a firm and steady position in the holding-vessel withoutpossibility of movement or vibration independently of the latter. lVhenthe fountain attachment is thus placed and firmly set and spaced fromthe bottom thereof by the feet 19, perfectly free and completecirculation of water and steam through and among the clothes, throughthe fountain-body and all around the latter, and between the same andthe holding-vessel, is permitted. The form of the fountain-body and themode of its disposition in the holding-vessel, including its highlydomed plate 32, are such as to accelerate steaming and the passage ofthe fluids freely through the same to be delivered from the top thereofdirectly down upon the clothes in a continuous stream in all directions,and the large space, or pressure chamber 34;, aids in driving the fluidswith great force directly down upon the clothes, said chamber, in fact,increasing the speed of circulation of the fluids and, consequently, theforce with which they will be driven upon, through, and among theclothes, the resulting agitation thoroughly cleansing the same. Thelocation of the foraminous soap-chamber, so that it will always besubmerged, provides for the thorough dissolution of the soap, orsaponifying substances, during the steam generation period and alsoprovides a large quantity of water, within the conical body 14,completely saturated with soap and ready to be acted upon directly bythe steam and carried up through the fountain attachment for forcibledelivery upon the clothes. By providing the steam-escape valve in thecover of the holding-vessel, any excess of steam pressure isautomatically carried off without disturbing the washing process, thoughthe operation of this valve will not perceptibly reduce the temperaturein the holding-vessel, the fluids therein being, in consequence,maintained at an approximately even and very high temperature. Theescape-valve also has the function of prevent ing the unbalancedpressure of fluid, within the holding-vessel, from causing suchagitation as would result in vibration and dancing of the structure, asa whole. These are all important functions and advantages; and the factthat the fountain-body or attachment can be used in connection with anyform of holding-vessel with very little trouble or addition of means,adds great value to this invention, in that the life of so theholding-vessels may be considerably less than the fountain attachmentand what may put the one out of use may not affect the other; and,moreover, if the fountain attachment should, in any manner, becomedestroyed or rendered incapable of use, a new one couldreadily besecured in the open market, or even a different form of fountainattachment might be used in the old holdingvessel. These are not onlyvaluable structural and functional features, but are also highlyvaluable and advantageous from a commercial standpoint.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A wash-boiler comprising a holdingvessel, a fountain-body set in saidvessel and having a flared open bottom, and means for spacing saidbottom from and rigidly supporting the same on the bottom of saidvessel, whereby free circulation through and around said body isprovided for water and steam, said means including supporting devicesattached to the fountain-body for engagement with the bottom of theholdingvessel and a centrally disposed pin and slot connection betweenthe fountain-body and said vessel, the construction and disposition ofparts being such that the supporting devices engage the bottom of theholding-vessel simultaneously with the bottoming of the pins in saidslots.

2. In combination, in a wash-boiler, a holding vessel; a fountainattachment; means for supporting said attachment in said vessel with itsbottom spaced from the bottom of said vessel; said attachment consistingof a conical body-portion, a pipe passing through the latter and h( vingmeans at its top for delivering fluid into said vessel, and said pipehaving a foraminous section closed at top and bottom, for holding soap,within said body-portion, so as to be confined and submerged in thefluid within the latter.

3.'In combination, in a wash-boiler, a holding vessel; a fountainattachment; means for supporting said attachment in said vessel with itsbottom spaced from the bottom of said vessel; said attachment comprisinga conical body-portion having means at its top for delivering fluid intothe vessel, and a foraminous pipesection located Within the saidbody-portion, said pipe-section having a door for the admission of soapthereto located near the bottom of said body-portion.

4. As an article of manufacture, afountain-attachment for Wash-boilersconsisting of a conical body-portion having means for deliveringdownwardly a continuous stream of fluid, a transverse brace or barconnected to said body-portion above its bottom and within the same, astem sustained by said brace and extending through the vertex of saidbody-portion, and means, on the bottom of said brace, for securing theattachment to a suitable holding-vessel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGIANA ROBINSON. Witnesses:

CHAS. MOC. CHAPMAN, M. Hnnsxovnz.

